Thursday, November 17, 2011

The annual Holiday Train Show kicks off Saturday at the New York Botanical Garden and runs until January 16. If it were up to me, I would have the show run longer. It is worth the trip.

The show, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary, is filled with New York landmark replicas such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Radio City Music Hall, and the original Yankee Stadium. The buildings are made with natural materials of bark, twigs, stems, fruits, seeds, and pine cones.

Due to popular demand, the show has been extended to January 16, giving visitors more time to enjoy and experience. It makes me think of the words that famed singer Nat King Cole sings in his Sweet Lorraine, “I’m as happy as baby boy with his new ChooChoo Toy." That’s how I feel every time I go to the Holiday Train Show.

This holiday season, the New York Botanical Garden is planning plenty of activities for the whole family, including a puppet show featuring the popular story “The Little Engine That Could." There will also be sing along events and photo opportunities.
Applied Imagination stationed in Alexandria, KY, is the company behind the train show. Company officials explained that Applied Imagination is a family business that started in a backyard. They were train enthusiasts.
Applied Imagination looks forward to working the Holiday Train Show every year.
While kids love the train show, company officials say they have also noticed that adults sometimes even have more fun than the kids. I'm one of those adults.
Nick Leshi, NYBG's associate director of public relations and electronics media, said the Holiday Train Show at the garden makes sense. “It’s a perfect marriage."
I think he’s right. I hope you like it as much I do. Enjoy the Holiday Train Show.
For more information, go to www.nybg.org.

Ismael Nuñez is a freelance writer based in East Harlem. He is a contributing writer to Bronx Latino.